"Without community, there is no liberation."

—Audre Lorde

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please check out these resources and spaces to learn more and get screened, find support, and take action:

• City of Boston Breast Cancer Awareness Resources

• Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition

• National Breast Cancer Foundation

• Susan G. Komen

October Scholars Support Night

October 25th, 2023 | 6:00-7:30p ET

The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting

Thursday October 26 at 12 pm

We look forward to seeing you at the next Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meetings as we continue the design process to collaboratively shape and expand community leadership roles and governance within the Coalition. Join this Thursday's meeting to learn more about stepping into a leadership role with the Coalition.

2024 Community Food Systems Fellowship Applications

October 17th 2023

The Community Food Systems Fellowship is an 18-month leadership program that aims to increase opportunities for diverse local food system leaders to build their skills, capacity, and networks. Emerging leaders who are committed to food justice and equity should consider the Community Food Systems Fellowship. Apply today to be part of the 2024 cohort! 

Application Deadline: November 3, 2023 at 11:59pm ET 

Learn more and view the Community Food Systems Fellowship Roadmap here.

Free Lactation Support

Are you pregnant, nursing, or know someone who is? Come to one of our drop-in support groups around Boston! Our groups offer professional lactation counseling, fun playgroups for your young child, and support for anyone struggling with the ups and downs of parenting.

CONtexts

CONtexts (Community Resources On Health Nearby Fun) is a free text messaging service and interactive resource sharing map that promotes child and family wellness by providing current information nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun events.

Once you’re subscribed you will receive 3 weekly free text messages: Monday’s text - nearby community resources, Wednesday’s text - wellness tips, Friday’s text - a family-fun events

Healey-Driscoll Administration Maternal Health Listening Sessions

The Community Action Network Meeting

DommiesBlessed

Massachusetts STEM week is in October, so we compiled books celebrating boys and girls in science. You can also visit the Seaport for this year’s Robot Block Party, build a rescue plane at Home Depot, or stop by the city’s Fall-o-ween event. For those who love being homebodies, there’s some adorable Halloween-themed games online that aren’t too scary and of course our favorite books for the month (pictured above). Enjoy! ~DommiesBlessed

Breastfeeding Support Resource for Lactation Professionals

Open Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday (Each Month)

First Droplets released "ABCs for Professionals," a training resource for lactation professionals, doctors, nurses, midwives, and doulas. The series of free videos provide information on current science and strategies to help new mothers. 

COVID-19: Know the Facts, Find the Truth

The Boston Public Health Commission is here to help answer your frequently asked questions (FAQs) about COVID-19, getting vaccinated, and keeping your family safe. Videos and flyer resources available in multiple languages.

International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners(IBLCE) Strategic Plan 2021-2025

In its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners^® (IBLCE^®) emphasised its continued focus on accessibility to lactation care and continues to move forward with a second lactation credential.

This initiative, planned to have a different scope than the IBCLC^®, IBLCE’s flagship credential, is now entering the next phase of development. A professional feasibility and marketing study, a professional practice analysis, and the initial development phase have been completed with a dedicated group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from around the globe! Great thanks to this outstanding group!

IBLCE is now seeking Subject Matter Experts from diverse backgrounds, including breastfeeding support counsellors, peer-to-peer counsellors, childbirth educators, healthcare workers, and other interested individuals, to participate in the next development phase for this credential. These individuals will:

• work both individually and collaboratively as Subject Matter Experts to develop and review programme content and materials 10 hours per month;

• have the opportunity to be a part of this groundbreaking pilot programme, thereby elevating their global professional profile; and,

• commit to serve on the IBLCE Second Credential Phase 2 workgroup for a six-month term.

If you have any questions regarding this programme, please contact us at international@iblce.org.

Milky Mama Scholarship Fund

Milky Mama is proud to announce the Milky Mama Scholarship Fund which was created to increase the diversity and representation in the lactation field by increasing the number of IBCLCs from underrepresented communities.

The scholarship fund will pay for the certification course or exam fees for award recipients.

Vital Village Network's Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is committed to improving access to breastfeeding support for every parent in Boston, promoting connections between individuals and organizations that engage in breastfeeding advocacy, and supporting pathways for professional lactation counselors.